Designed aluminum salen, salan and amine-bis(phenolate) complexes support the living and immortal ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide. We have expanded the monomer scope of these classic catalysts, allowing the homo- and co-polymerization of propio-lactone derivatives. Herein we report our work on expanding and optimizing these reactions, including three specific targets. First, aliphatic polyester block copolymer synthetic strategies are explored, ranging from gradient copolymerizations to block copolymerizations with phase separated blocks. Second, the development of epoxidation carbonylation methodology for monomer synthesis increases the scope of readily available monomers. Finally, functional polymers and copolymers are prepared through gradient and sequential ring-opening polymerizations. Exploitation of these polymers in pharmaceutical and medical applications is briefly discussed.

Beyond lactide: Copolymerisations of lactide and new monomers with design aluminum catalysts

248th National Meeting (2014)

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